Scott Hegstrom, New London, Randall Newville, Cheryl Hegreberg, and Daniel Schroeder, Spicer, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Mason.
They made their second appearance in U.S. District Court on July 9. Hegreberg was released on a $10,000 bond while Hegstrom, Newville, and Schroeder continued to be held in jail. Authorities are still looking for a fifth suspect, William Michael Bishop, New London, who apparently fled when the others were arrested.
In March 1996, Hegstrom, Hegreberg, and Schroeder were among 11 people charged in Kandiyohi County with methamphetamine trafficking. DEA Task Force Officer Robert Bushman, in his complaint, said they have been investigating drug trafficking activities of Newville since 1994.
During this investigation, agents seized and recovered Western Union Money Transfer receipts totaling over $100,000, the majority of which were payable to Frank Russo, California. Russo has been charged in California with narcotics trafficking and is cooperating with law enforcement officials in this investigation.
On Oct. 19, 1995, CEE VI agents executed a search warrant at the Newville residence. Agents seized 6.6 grams of methamphetamine, 10 doses of LSD, 125 grams of marijuana, 8.7 grams of mushrooms, two scales and two handguns. Also on Oct. 19, task force agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Scott Hegstrom in Spicer. Agents seized small quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana, one digital scale, and packaging materials. Earlier that evening Hegstrom was stopped in his 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck and found to possess marijuana, $1,425 in cash, and a .45 semi-auto handgun.
In a search on April 30, 1996, at Russo's California home, officers seized address books and telephone bills along with other documents. The names of several persons from Minnesota, including Newville, Hegreberg, and Schroeder, were recorded in the documents seized.
According to the criminal complaint, during August 1995, Randy Selle was present at the home of Hegstrom and Cheryl Dallman when a package arrived from California via Federal Express. Selle believed, at the time, the package contained methamphetamine. Hegstrom, took possession of the package and immediately left his residence with the package. Shortly thereafter, Newville arrived and asked about the package. Selle told Newville that Hegstrom had left with the package, and Newville then left Hegstrom's home to look for the package.
Newville also explained to Russo on one occasion that a $5,000 payment for methamphetamine had not taken place as planned because the individual (Hegstrom) with the money had been involved in an automobile accident that had resulted in the deaths of others.
Hegstrom still faces criminal vehicular homicide charges stemming from the January 1995 accident that killed three Paynesville people: Milo and Zelpha Brossard and Iva Burr, and left Delmar Brossard handicapped.
Hegstrom's attorney Bob Zohlmann, New London, has asked the case be dismissed because it took more than 30 days for the judge to rule on pre-trial evidence issues.
Those issues were first argued on Aug. 31, 1995. Two weeks later, Judge Spilseth dismissed the case without ruling on the evidence issues. The case was reinstated by the Court of Appeals and in April the state Supreme Court allowed the charges to stand.
[ Return to Previous Menu | Archived Press Stories Menu | Return to the News Page ]